Join the Southern Region - where your work truly matters.
Covering Wessex, Sussex, and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK's most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day. This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key-and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys. We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail. From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference.
Location: Brighton
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £ 65,912 (new 2026 salary)
Are you ready to take the lead and make a real impact? As a Local Operations Manager , you'll be at the heart of railway operations-managing the day-to-day performance of your local team, ensuring safety, reliability, and exceptional service for passengers and freight customers.
This is a role for someone who thrives on responsibility, loves problem-solving, and wants to inspire others. You'll manage resources, budgets, and people, all while keeping the railway running smoothly-even when challenges arise.
- Lead and inspire: Manage and mentor your local operations team, setting the standard for professionalism and safety.
- Take charge in emergencies: Act as Rail Incident Officer (RIO) when required, leading infrastructure and service recovery.
- Collaborate: Build strong relationships with train operators, maintenance teams, and contractors.
- Deliver performance: Manage resources and budgets to keep trains moving-even during disruption.
- Plan ahead: Implement contingency plans and support emergency planning.
- Monitor and improve: Oversee maintenance activities, competency assessments, and operational compliance.
- Equip your team: Ensure vehicles and response equipment are fit for purpose.
- Stay hands-on: If competent, work signal boxes as directed.
If you're a natural leader who thrives under pressure, we'd love to hear from you.
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Ability to make confident, objective decisions.
- Understanding of railway rules, regulations, and safety standards.
- Excellent communication and planning skills.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable:
- Experience with budgets and financial systems.
- Commercial awareness and IT skills.
- Knowledge of railway industry structure and improvement processes.
- Investigatory skills (e.g., Root Cause Analysis).he UK's most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day. This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key-and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys. We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail. From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference.
Important Info:
This role requires security vetting . Offers of employment are subject to drug and alcohol testing, medical checks, and BPSS clearance.
We offer excellent benefits, including:
- Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
- Defined benefit pension scheme.
- 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
- Up to 75% off leisure travel.
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
- Carer's leave to support those who matter.
- Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to Work plus more.
- Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
Plus, more...
We believe diversity drives innovation. Whoever you are, however you identify, wherever you're from-if you've got the skills and the spark, we want you on our team. No suits required. Just bring your authentic self.
As part of the application process, you'll be asked to complete your three-year employment history and upload your CV.
Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.
Drugs and Alcohol Standard:
All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced
Ready to lead and keep Britain's railway moving safely? Apply now and join a team that values safety, leadership, and operational excellence!
